When Suryakumar Yadav was captaining India during a stretch of disappointing performances, critics mocked him, claiming he was in the team only because he was captain. In a post-match press conference, he calmly replied:
“I’m not out of form, I’m out of runs.”
Social media erupted with memes and trolls—but SKY proved he was right. Just a few matches later, he smashed back-to-back fifties against New Zealand in the T20I series, playing trademark 360-degree strokes with explosive strike rates. His body language stayed positive even when he got out playing big shots. He showed that even the best—yes, even Virat Kohli—go through natural dips in form.
And this brings us to Sanju Samson.
Sanju Samson: Form, Confidence, and the Missing Spark
Sanju is currently both out of form and out of runs. That part is undeniable. But what hurts fans and management more is his approach and mindset at the crease. Sanju looks low on confidence, often gifting wickets to bowlers rather than getting out to unplayable deliveries.
Technically gifted as he is, watching him fall cheaply in recent games has left cricket lovers disappointed.
Where Is Sanju Going Wrong?
Two major issues stand out:
- Confidence
- Footwork
Even head coach Gautam Gambhir, captain Suryakumar Yadav, and the support staff are backing him strongly. Bowling coach Morne Morkel openly stated in a pre-match press conference:
“Form is temporary, class is permanent. Sanju is batting well in the nets, focused, hardworking, and he has the right mindset. I’m confident he will return to form.”
But despite the support, Sanju failed to produce a significant innings in Visakhapatnam as well—scoring 24 off 15 with three boundaries and a six. On paper it looks fine, but the innings lacked conviction.
Technical Breakdown: What’s Going Wrong?
Analysts pointed out several recurring issues:
1. Moving Back Too Early
Against Jacob Duffy, Sanju kept moving deep into the crease before the ball was released—called a “technique failure” by commentators. This made him vulnerable to yorkers and full balls.
2. Exposing All Three Stumps
Both pacers and spinners have been exploiting his tendency to move leg-side and open up his stumps. New Zealand planned it, and executed it perfectly.
3. No Foot Movement vs Spin
Legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar criticised this clearly:
“Sanju is not using his feet at all. He’s standing rooted to the crease and exposing his stumps. That’s dangerous against spin.”
When a batter fails to judge turn and still steps outside leg stump without footwork, the stumps are wide open invitations.
4. Expecting Instead of Reading
Sanju often expects a short ball and pre-meditates shots rather than reading the bowler. This leads to mistimed shots and unnecessary dismissals.
These patterns repeated in multiple matches—including a near-wicket in Visakhapatnam that only survived because of a dropped catch.
Pressure, Competition & The Mental Battle
Sanju’s struggles are not merely technical—they’re mental.
He knows:
- Shubman Gill, the vice-captain, was dropped to make room for him as opener.
- Ishan Kishan makes the most of every opportunity.
- Tilak Varma is returning from injury.
- Competition for India’s top order is harsher than ever.
This builds pressure, and pressure kills clarity.
Yet Sanju has shown his brilliance before. Remember his 37 off 22 against South Africa? That innings probably extended his international career. He just needs one such innings again to regain rhythm and confidence.
Thiruvananthapuram Awaits a Heroic Return
Sanju now returns to his home ground—Thiruvananthapuram.
This is where stories either end…
or legends begin again.
A powerful comeback here would silence critics and lift the spirits of millions. India is a country where cricket is almost a religion—and maintaining a place in the national team for so many years means Sanju clearly has the talent.
All he needs is one innings. One spark. One moment of clarity.
And as fans, we stand by him not just in good times, but especially in bad ones.
Final Thoughts
Sanju Samson has carried Kerala’s pride on his shoulders for years. Very few IPL stars from Kerala have risen to become national-level icons. His journey has inspired thousands.
To Sanju, we say:
We’re with you.
Your best days aren’t behind you.
This tough phase will pass.
Come back stronger.
All the best, Sanju.
Your comeback story is waiting to be written.
